Your Guide to Synthetic & Natural Yarns (Including Wool)

When you walk into a yarn shop or scroll online, you're greeted with dozens of yarn labels — wool, alpaca, acrylic, nylon, cotton, and blends. It can feel confusing to know which yarn is best for your project.

In this guide, we’ll walk through key differences between natural fibers and synthetic yarns, their pros and cons, tips for mixing them, and how to choose yarns for different projects. By the end, you’ll feel more confident buying and working with yarns that suit your style and needs.

Natural Yarns: What They Are & Why They’re Loved

Natural yarns come from animal fibers (like wool, alpaca, cashmere) or plant fibers (cotton, linen, bamboo, silk). These fibers are prized for their beauty, breathability, and how they age over time.

Wool is especially popular among knitters and crocheters for its elasticity, warmth, and ability to hold shape. It’s forgiving when blocking.

Plant-based fibers like cotton and linen feel cool to the touch and breathe well — ideal for summer garments or dishcloths.

Silk, bamboo, and other luxury fibers add a silky sheen and beautiful drape — though they usually come at a higher price.

Plant Fibers

Plant-based yarns are breathable, durable, and perfect for warm-weather projects.

Bamboo is soft, silky, hypoallergenic, and drapes beautifully — ideal for lightweight garments.
Cotton is a classic fiber that’s soft, absorbent, and easy to care for, great for everyday wear and home décor.
Hemp doesn’t shrink or stretch, softens with washing, and now comes in a wide range of colors.
Linen is strong, quick-drying, and perfect for summer, though it has little stretch.
Soy yarn, made from soybeans, is a newer eco-friendly fiber with a smooth texture and gentle sheen.

Because plant fibers don’t retain much heat, they’re perfect for warmer climates, breathable garments, and durable household items.

Animal Fibers

Animal-based yarns are warm, elastic, and ideal for cozy winter projects.

Alpaca is soft, silky, and lanolin-free — great for sensitive skin.
Angora (from rabbits) is luxuriously fluffy but delicate, so it’s often blended with wool.
Camel fiber is warm and silky, usually blended with wool for added strength.
Cashmere is ultra-soft, insulating, and ideal for scarves, sweaters, and accessories.
Llama yarn is warm even when wet, perfect for outerwear and cold climates.
Mohair (from Angora goats) is glossy, lightweight, and temperature-regulating.
Wool, especially Merino wool, is soft, breathable, elastic, and even beneficial for eczema-prone skin.
Yak fiber is as soft as cashmere and warmer than Merino — a true luxury.\

Protein Fiber

Silk, produced by silkworms, is incredibly soft and lustrous, absorbing dye beautifully for rich, vibrant colors. It’s often blended with other fibers like wool or bamboo to reduce slipperiness and add strength.

Synthetic Yarns: Why Use Them?

Synthetic yarns (like acrylic, nylon, polyester) are man-made fibers designed to mimic some of the qualities of natural yarns — but with added benefits. They’re often more affordable, easier to care for (machine washable), and less prone to damage from pests like moths.

However, synthetic yarns may lack the “memory” or elasticity of wool, feel less breathable, or sometimes pill with wear. But for many everyday projects or gifting items, synthetics are a fantastic choice.

Synthetic fibers include:

• Nylon
• Rayon
• Polyester
• Acrylic
• Spandex
• Kevlar

Blending Yarns: How & Why

Blending natural and synthetic fibers can be a win — you get the warmth and elasticity of the natural fiber plus the durability and ease of care from the synthetic.

For example:

• Wool + acrylic blends — classic combination, good for sweaters or everyday garments.

• Wool + nylon sock yarn — adds durability for heels and toes.

• Cotton + synthetic blends — keeps shape and reduces shrinkage.

When blending, choose fibers with similar gauge, twist, and weight so your final fabric behaves smoothly.

Choosing the Right Yarn for Projects

Here are practical tips to match yarn type to project:

• For garments (sweaters, cardigans): natural or blends are ideal — choose yarn with good elasticity and resilience.

• For accessories (hats, mitts, scarves): synthetics or blends are great, especially when ease of care is important.

• For baby items: soft natural fibers or high-quality synthetics, always check for hypoallergenic qualities.

• For home goods (blankets, cushions): cotton, blends, or sturdier synthetics — choose yarns that handle washing.

• For socks: blends with nylon or synthetic fibers improve durability and prevent wear.

Always knit a swatch. Check gauge, drape, hand feel, and how the fabric behaves when stretched or blocked.

Yarn Care: Best Practices

• For natural yarns, hand wash in cool water with mild detergent, rinse gently, squeeze out excess water (don’t wring), and lay flat to dry.

• Synthetic yarns are often machine washable (check the label), but dry flat to retain shape.

• Store yarn in airtight bins or sealed bags to protect natural fibers from pests.

• When storing garments, fold rather than hang to avoid stretching.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I substitute synthetic for natural yarn in a pattern?
Yes — you can, but watch out for changes in elasticity, drape, and feel. Always swatch and adjust needle/hook sizes as needed.

Q: Do natural yarns last longer than synthetic ones?
It depends. Premium natural fibers (like high-quality wool or silk) can last decades with care, but lower-quality or heavily used synthetics may degrade faster.

Q: Are blends always the best of both worlds?
Often yes, but not always. The success of a blend depends on the quality of both fibers and how they are spun. Some blends compromise on softness or elasticity.

Q: Do synthetics pill more than natural yarn?
Lower-quality synthetics can pill more, but well-spun synthetics or blends with good twist resist pilling. Naturals can also pill, depending on fiber length and use.

Q: Which yarn type is better for summer garments?
Plant fibers like cotton and linen, or silk blends, are ideal in heat. Synthetics with moisture-wicking properties may also work well if blended properly.

Q: What does “superwash” mean?
“Superwash” wool is treated so it can be safely machine-washed without felting. This is done either through an acid bath that smooths the fibers or by coating the yarn with a fine polymer layer.

Superwash yarns tend to stretch more than untreated wool, so always make a gauge swatch (and wash and block it!) before starting your project.

Final Thoughts

Both natural and synthetic yarns have their places in the knitter’s and crocheter’s toolkit. By understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and how they behave, you can choose yarns confidently — or blend them for just the right balance.

Ready to pick yarn for your next project? Browse KnitPal’s full yarn collection and find the fiber blend that fits your style, project, and care preferences.